ANIMAL DIVERSITY LAB Name Prisca Osuji_________ Section ___2J_____
As you go through the “stations” a.k.a. videos, observe the diversity of animal spe
... [Show More] cimens and accompanying
information, and consider the major adaptations and evolutionary trends in these groups. Use information presented in
lab, as well as what you’ve learned in readings and lecture videos in the pre-lab folder on LP, to answer the following
questions:
Station 1: Sponges
a) How might the feeding strategy used by the Portifera (sponges) have a positive effect on the marine environment?
View this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTZ211cIjX8&vl=en
● They will take unclear water, water that contain bacterial and pump clean water
b) Sponges are sessile (they are stuck in place), so how do they sexually reproduce?
● when they release the water into the habitat they will reproduce
c) Observe this short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKxxRsxV4rY on the glass Venus’ Flower Basket
sponge. This sponge has large glass spicules that fuse to form an extensive glass structure. This sponge often houses
a male and female shrimp who entered when they were tiny then grew too large to be able to swim out of the
sponge. They spend the rest of their lives inside the sponge, and when they mate, their tiny offspring are able to
leave. How might this relationship benefit both the shrimp and the sponge?
Benefit to shrimp: They are provided a place to stay and reproduce
Benefit to sponge: The sponges benefit from shrimps because the shrimp can break down particles that the
sponge’s are not able to break down.
Station 2: Cnidarians
a) How do cnidarians capture and consume their food? See these videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_LU1GA6pu4
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-a-jellyfish-sting-neosha-s-kashef
● They release their tentacle to wrap around prays and they put it inside their mouth /anus.
b) Observe the coral figures from your text and videos and explain how corals, like all cnidarians, exhibit radial
symmetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiULxLLP32s
● Coral,like cnidarian, exhibit radial symmetry because when they are alive they have symmetrical, they are abe
to build symmetrical coral.
c) What is the most likely reason why anemones and corals are restricted to shallow waters?
● The reason why anemones and corals are restricted to shallower water is because through shallow
water they are able to see and grab prays
Station 3: Mollusks
Mollusks are a diverse group of animals that includes more than 75,000 extant species and an extensive fossil record.
Much of what we know about past changes in climate and mass extinctions comes from mollusk fossils. Whereas many
are marine, a large number of species have diversified in freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
a) Look at the two hinged shells of a bivalve, like a mussel or clam. Describe how this type of shell provides an adaptive
advantage for these organisms.
● This type of shell provides protection, which they could use to their advantage. Not only is it smooth and
looks like a rock, but it opens and closes.
1
b) The shells of a terrestrial snail are relatively thin. A marine snail’s shell is much thicker. Hypothesize a reason for
these differences.
● A reason for this difference could be their habitat and their predators. A thicker shell could be to
protect the sail from the predators in their environment.
c) Observe the video about the Nautilus logarithmic spiral https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EO7FdTlvbU .
How do these separate chambers in the shell allow the Nautilus to control its buoyancy?
● These separate chambers in the shell allow the Nautilus to control its buoyancy so they are able to
capture and release water
Station 4: Arthropods
a) Describe the advantages and disadvantages of an exoskeleton.
Advantages: Gives protection against predators and protects the inner organs and muscles. It also helps with
movement.
Disadvantages: It cannot expand and it restricts the growth of the animal
b) Identify the function of 3 types of appendages in arthropods. Hypothesize on the function of the appendage in each
animal’s habitat.
Organism & Habitat Type of Appendage & Function
Crustacean:crayfish
freshwater
Swimmerets/legs:They help the crustacean swim. It also helps
them with respiration because water is being moved over the
gills
,
Arachnid: daddy long leg
People’s houses
pedipalps: This helps them get around and feel their
environment
Insect: Cardinal Beetle
edges of woodland
antennae: are feelers that help sense touch, movement, heat,
and sound
, sensory organs
c) Observe the male fiddler crabs in this vid [Show Less]
